Maccabi Tel Aviv Rout Hapoel Jerusalem 5-2 in Season Opener Ahead of Conference League Clash

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday at the new stadium in Rehovot, marking their 11th consecutive win across all competitions. This match, part of the Israeli Premier League's opening round, saw Maccabi extend their unbeaten streak against Jerusalem away from home since October 1998. Despite conceding an early goal by Vitali Demskan within the first minute, Maccabi quickly responded with a goal from Roy Revivo and a first career hat-trick from Dor Peretz. Substitute Said Abu Farhi also scored and ended the match as goalkeeper after Ofek Melika was sent off, resulting in Melika's suspension for the upcoming home game against Maccabi Haifa on Monday.

Maccabi coach Kenny Miller praised his team's resilience and the fans' support, stating, "We conceded early but responded excellently. The second half featured some beautiful football." He urged patience regarding new signings, promising reinforcements soon. Miller highlighted Peretz's performance, noting his movement and goal-scoring instincts, and commended Abu Farhi's attitude and contribution. Peretz described the hat-trick as a "great feeling," emphasizing the need to improve defensively and prepare smartly for the upcoming European match against Lugano.

Hapoel Jerusalem coach Lior Zada acknowledged a strong start but admitted Maccabi's dominance and critical goals shifted momentum. He reflected on the second half as a learning experience, noting the team’s failure to contain Maccabi’s sharp attack and the need for more composure. The match sets the stage for Maccabi Tel Aviv's next challenge in the Conference League playoffs against Lugano, where they expect a different and tougher game.